Mobile terminal, method of controlling the same, and computer program of the same

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a technical field of a mobile terminal such as a mobile telephone. In particular, the present invention relates to a technical field of a mobile telephone having a lock function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, various kinds of security products for preventing a main body of a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) from being stolen and for protecting data preserved in a PC have been on the market. As for such security products, for example, there are known: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li id="ul0002-0001" num="0003">an authentication key for controlling log-in and log-out of a PC by being inserted in and removed from a universal serial bus (USB) port,</li><li id="ul0002-0002" num="0004">a data encryption key for carrying out encryption and decryption in accordance with insertion and removal of the data encryption key in and out the USB port, and</li><li id="ul0002-0003" num="0005">a PC card for detecting shocks and vibrations accompanying a movement of a PC with an acceleration sensor to judge whether or not the PC is stolen.</li></ul></li></ul>

In mobile communication terminals such as a mobile telephone and mobile electronic apparatuses such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), during log-in and an access to important data, whether or not a user is a legitimate user is authenticated using a password (personal identification number). Those electronic apparatuses preserve therein important data such as personal information of a user similarly to the case of the PC. Thus, it is necessary to take measures against burglary of a main body of an electronic apparatus and shoulder hack of data.

From this viewpoint, a conventional mobile telephone has a function called a dial lock (keylock) for making a key input electronically invalid. However, recognition of the dial lock function (keylock function) to users is low. In addition, a series of manipulations for setting a dial lock state and for releasing a setting state in restarting use of the mobile telephone using this function are troublesome for a user. Thus, the number of users who usually utilize such a dial lock function is not so many. Moreover, the apparatus configuration for requiring a user to input a password (personal identification number) when the user accesses important data is troublesome for a legitimate user.

Then, in recent years, a folding mobile telephone including a mechanical lock mechanism and a fingerprint authentication unit has come onto the market. In this folding mobile telephone, when chassis are folded, the lock is automatically engaged in a state where the chassis are folded, and the chassis can not be returned back to an open state unless the lock state is released. Therefore, the folding mobile telephone can be prevented from being unlawfully used.

Now, in the mobile telephone for which the mobile property is regarded as important, since a battery (rechargeable battery) which is installed for the operation is also miniature, there is a limit to a power supply capacity. Thus, in general, the mobile telephone is required to reduce the power consumption during the operation as much as possible. Consequently, in the mobile telephone having the lock mechanism as described above, the supply of an electric power is desirably stopped for each functional portion which is inhibited from being used in the lock state.

However, the supply of the electric power to the fingerprint authentication unit used to release the lock state can not be stopped (turn-OFF of a power supply) even in the lock state because the fingerprint authentication for a legitimate user must be speedily carried out. On the other hand, in the case of the apparatus configuration adapted to stop the supply of the electric power to the fingerprint authentication unit in order to reduce the power consumption, there is required a mechanism for restarting the supply of the electric power (turn-ON of the power supply) to the fingerprint authentication unit by some means or other.

Then, JP2002-368870A proposes an apparatus configuration adapted to carry out fingerprint authentication when a user manipulates an authentication start key in order to release such a lock state.

However, in a case where an exclusive manipulation key for switching an operation state of a fingerprint authentication unit is provided in a mobile telephone, the construction of the mobile telephone becomes complicated. Also, in this case, the labor of a user for releasing the lock state is increased. In particular, the apparatus configuration adapted to force a user to carry out a plurality of manipulations under the situation where an incoming call sound of a mobile telephone is ringing is not preferable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in the light of the above-mentioned problems, and it is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal which includes a lock function (lock means: that is at least one of a mechanical lock mechanism and an electronic keylock mechanism) and an authentication unit, and which is capable of precisely supplying an electric power to the authentication unit to make the reduction of power consumption and the ensuring of security compatible with each other without increasing a burden imposed on a user in terms of manipulations.

In order to attain the above-mentioned object, the features of the mobile terminal according to the present invention are as follows.

That is, there is provided a mobile terminal provided with lock means and an authentication unit, in which any of manipulations for the mobile terminal are inhibited based on lock by the lock means and the lock means is unlocked to allow a manipulation for the mobile terminal in response to that a user is authenticated as a legitimate user by the authentication unit, the mobile terminal including:

control means (control circuit <b>30</b>, CPU <b>101</b>) for starting supply of an electric power to the authentication unit (fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b>) in response to an occurrence of a predetermined event in the mobile terminal (<b>1</b>) during the lock by the lock means (opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b>), and for unlocking the lock means when a user is authenticated as a legitimate user by the authentication unit.

Here, the predetermined event is, for example, at least one of an operation of an incoming call from an external apparatus to the mobile terminal, and an operation of report of preset schedule.

According to a preferred embodiment of the mobile terminal, the control means supplies the electric power to the authentication unit over a predetermined period of time in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event, and unlocks the lock means when the user is authenticated as a legitimate user within the predetermined period of time by the authentication unit.

In the above case, the control means may stop the supply of the electric power to the authentication unit when the authentication by the authentication unit is not carried out within the predetermined period of time.

In addition, preferably, the control means may inform a user that the electric power is supplied to the authentication unit by utilizing at least one of a sound, light, and a vibration.

Note that, the above-mentioned object can be attained by a method of controlling the mobile terminal having the configuration described above.

In addition, the above-mentioned object can be attained by a computer program for realizing the mobile terminal having the configuration described above and the method of controlling the mobile terminal using a computer, and by a computer readable storage medium having the computer program stored therein.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flow chart showing a control processing executed in the mobile telephone according to the embodiment shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view exemplifying an external construction of the mobile telephone according to the embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4A</figref> is a side elevational view showing a state where the mobile telephone according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4B</figref> is a side elevational view showing a state where the mobile telephone according to the embodiment of the present invention is folded (in a close state).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

The present invention will hereinafter be described in detail based on an embodiment applied to a mobile telephone as a typical mobile terminal with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Apparatus Configuration of Mobile Telephone <b>1</b>

First of all, a hardware configuration of a mobile telephone <b>1</b> according to an embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1</figref>, <b>3</b>, and <b>4</b>A and <b>4</b>B.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile telephone (folding mobile telephone) <b>1</b> according to this embodiment, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, includes a radio circuit <b>10</b>, an antenna <b>11</b>, a sound signal processing unit <b>20</b>, a speaker <b>21</b>, a microphone <b>22</b>, a control unit <b>30</b>, a memory <b>31</b>, a timer <b>32</b>, a display device <b>41</b>, a manipulation device <b>42</b>, a buzzer <b>43</b>, a lamp <b>44</b>, an opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b>, a fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b>, a power supply unit <b>90</b>, and a power source control unit <b>91</b>.

More specifically, in a state where the mobile telephone <b>1</b> is wirelessly connected to an external base station through the antenna <b>11</b> in accordance with an instruction issued from the control circuit <b>30</b>, the radio circuit <b>10</b> carries out a voice communication or a data communication with an external apparatus.

The sound signal processing circuit <b>20</b> is connected to the radio circuit <b>10</b> and serves to process a transmission sound signal and a reception sound signal during the voice communication with an external apparatus in accordance with an instruction issued from the control circuit <b>30</b>. Then, the speaker <b>21</b> outputs the reception sound signal in the form of a voice (sound). A voice which becomes a source of such a transmission sound signal is inputted to the microphone <b>22</b> by a user.

The memory <b>31</b> is a nonvolatile storage device, and serves to store therein a software program to be executed by a central processing unit (CPU) <b>101</b> of the control circuit <b>30</b>, various kinds of parameters, and user data such as telephone numbers and e-mails.

The timer <b>32</b> executes a time processing in accordance with an instruction issued from the control circuit <b>30</b>. Then, the timer <b>32</b> informs the control circuit <b>30</b> of the termination of timing (time-out) for a predetermined period of time.

The display device <b>41</b> includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display unit for visually displaying thereon characters, numerical characters, and graphic forms. Thus, the display device <b>41</b> displays thereon information which is received from an external apparatus through the radio circuit <b>10</b>, and information corresponding to characters and numerical characters which a user inputs by manipulating the manipulation device <b>42</b> in accordance with the control made by the control circuit <b>30</b>.

The manipulation device <b>42</b> includes a plurality of input switches (including keys and buttons) such as a ten key, and a pointing device capable of moving a cursor in an arbitrary direction. Thus, the manipulation device <b>42</b> is used to input a manipulation instruction from a user.

The buzzer <b>43</b> generates a ringing tone to inform a user of a predetermined state in accordance with the, control made by the control circuit <b>30</b>.

The lamp (lamp group) <b>44</b> includes a plurality of light emission devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). Thus, the lamp <b>44</b> emits light to inform a user of a predetermined state in accordance with the control made by the control circuit <b>30</b>.

The opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> detects an open/close state (folded state) of the chassis of the mobile telephone <b>1</b> and informs the control circuit <b>30</b> of the detection results. Moreover, the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> locks and unlocks the user's manipulation for physically opening/closing the folding chassis in accordance with the control by the control circuit <b>30</b>. Consequently, the lock function of the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> includes a mechanical lock mechanism adapted to operate in accordance with the control by the control circuit <b>30</b>.

The fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> includes a fingerprint sensor <b>601</b> for reading a fingerprint of a human being. The fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> compares a newly read fingerprint (fingerprint data) with a legitimate user's fingerprint (fingerprint data) which is registered in advance, thereby authenticating whether or not a user is a legitimate user.

That is, a fingerprint (fingerprint data: in this case, fingerprint data of a plurality of fingers is desirable) of a legitimate user is registered in the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> in advance. The registration of a fingerprint, for example, is carried out as follows. A user manipulates a suitably allocated switch of the manipulation device <b>42</b>, thereby requesting the control circuit <b>30</b> to register fingerprint data of the user.

In this embodiment, in order to reduce the power consumption of the overall mobile telephone <b>1</b>, no electric power is supplied to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> except for a case of a predetermined operation state. Whether or not the electric power supply is performed is controlled by a switch <b>911</b>. The control unit <b>30</b> controls a power supply control circuit <b>91</b>, thereby supplying an electric power from the power supply circuit <b>90</b> to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b>. The fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> suitably registers the data (fingerprint data) representing a fingerprint which has been read with the fingerprint sensor <b>601</b> in a memory.

Note that the fingerprint data of a legitimate user may be stored in a memory built in the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b>, or may be stored in an external memory such as the memory <b>31</b>.

The power supply unit <b>90</b> has a rechargeable battery (not shown) and serves to supply an electric power to each unit provided within the mobile telephone <b>1</b>.

The power supply control circuit <b>91</b> includes a plurality of switches (switching elements) for controlling the supply of an electric power to each unit within the mobile telephone <b>1</b>. In this embodiment, such switches are operated in correspondence to various kinds of modes such as an incoming call wait mode in accordance with the control by the control circuit <b>30</b>. In particular, the switch <b>911</b> is turned ON or OFF to control the supply of the electric power from the power supply unit <b>90</b> to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b>.

The control circuit <b>30</b> includes the CPU <b>101</b> for managing the overall operation of the mobile telephone land other hardware (not shown) and various kinds of software programs to be executed by the CPU <b>101</b>.

The control circuit <b>30</b> operates in accordance with the software programs stored in the memory <b>31</b> in advance, thereby controlling the operations of the units within the mobile telephone <b>1</b>. As the software programs directly related to this embodiment, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, there are an incoming call detection function <b>301</b> and a lock processing function <b>302</b>. The incoming call detection function <b>301</b> is a program for analyzing a signal received at the radio circuit <b>10</b> and for detecting an incoming call of a voice communication or an incoming call of an e-mail. The lock processing function <b>302</b> is a program for controlling the lock setting and the lock release made by the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b>.

Note that the memory <b>31</b>, the timer <b>32</b>, the sound signal processing circuit <b>20</b>, the power supply control circuit <b>91</b>, and the like may be suitably mounted in a state of being included in the control circuit <b>30</b> for convenience of a design.

In addition, at the present time, a general technique can be adopted for the operations themselves for the data transmission/reception processing, the sound processing, and the like which are executed between an external apparatus and the mobile telephone <b>1</b> with the above-mentioned apparatus configuration. Hence, its detailed description is omitted in this embodiment.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view showing an external construction example of the mobile telephone <b>1</b> according to this embodiment of the present invention. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4A</figref> is a side elevational view showing an open state of the mobile telephone <b>1</b> according to this embodiment of the present invention. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4B</figref> is a side elevational view showing a folded state (close state) of the mobile telephone <b>1</b> according to this embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile telephone <b>1</b> according to this embodiment has a folding construction in which as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, an upper side chassis <b>2</b> and a lower side chassis <b>4</b> are coupled to each other through a hinge <b>3</b> so as to be opened and closed. With such a folding construction, the mobile telephone <b>1</b> can adopt a close state where the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> are closed (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4B</figref>) and an open state where the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> are opened (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4A</figref>) in correspondence to the manipulation made by a user.

The upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> are provided with the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> in positions which face each other in the close state. The opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> detects whether the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> are in the open state (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4A</figref>) or in the close state (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4B</figref>). Moreover, the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> mechanically locks the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> in correspondence to the detection of such a close state, thereby regulating the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> so that a user can not open the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> unless the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> is unlocked after the lock. Here, such an unlocking operation is carried out in accordance with the control by the control circuit <b>30</b> only when the authentication results from the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> show that a user is a legitimate user (its details will be described later).

Note that, in this embodiment, the description has been given by giving as an example the specific case where an opening/closing detection mechanism and a lock mechanism are integrated into the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b>. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to this specific case. That is, there may be adopted such a construction that the opening/closing detection mechanism and the lock mechanism are separately provided in the mobile telephone <b>1</b>. In addition, since the well known technique can be suitably adopted for the opening/closing detection mechanism and the lock mechanism, its detailed description is omitted in this embodiment.

The upper side chassis <b>2</b> is provided with the speaker <b>21</b> and the display device (display unit) <b>41</b> on its inside face (in a position which is hidden in the close state).

The lower side chassis <b>4</b> is provided with the microphone <b>22</b> and the manipulation device <b>42</b> on its inside face. In addition, the fingerprint sensor <b>601</b> of the fingerprint authentication <b>60</b>, a lamp <b>441</b>, and a switch <b>421</b> are provided in a side surface of the lower side chassis <b>4</b> (in a position which is not hidden even in the close state). The lamp <b>441</b> is one of the lamps <b>44</b> described above, and serves to inform a user that the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> is kept charged with electricity. The switch <b>421</b> is a switch for, when the introduction of an electric current to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> is stopped, charging the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> with electricity in accordance with the manipulation made by a user. That is, upon detection of a turn-ON state (close state) of the switch <b>421</b>, the control circuit <b>30</b> changes an operation state of the switch <b>911</b> over to the close state (turn-ON state). As a result, the supply of the electric power to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> is restarted, thereby activating the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b>.

Note that in this embodiment, the layout in which the fingerprint sensor <b>601</b>, the lamp <b>441</b>, and the switch <b>421</b> are provided in the position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> (in the side surface of the bottom end of the lower side chassis <b>4</b>) is adopted as an example. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to such a layout. Those devices may be provided in any of positions as long as the position is exposed to the outside in the folded state of the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b>.

Operation Control for Mobile Telephone <b>1</b>

Next, a description will be given to characteristic operation control for the mobile telephone <b>1</b> having the apparatus configuration described above with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. In the following description, as an event which is to be detected for release of the lock state, a case where an incoming call originated from an external apparatus to the mobile telephone <b>1</b> is given as an example for convenience of the description.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flowchart showing a control processing executed in the mobile telephone <b>1</b> according to this embodiment. This flow chart represents the processing procedure of the software program which the CPU <b>101</b> executes in the control circuit <b>30</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. The CPU <b>101</b> starts this control processing upon turn-ON of a power supply switch (not shown) of the mobile telephone <b>1</b> through the manipulation by a user.

First of all, it is supposed that the mobile telephone <b>1</b> is in the open state where the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> are in the open state (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4A</figref>), and the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> is in the unlocked state. It is also supposed that in this state, a user can utilize all the functions of the mobile telephone <b>1</b>. Under this condition, it is unnecessary to carry out the fingerprint authentication. To reduce the power consumption, the CPU <b>101</b> turns OFF the switch <b>911</b>, thereby stopping the supply of the electric power to the fingerprint authentication <b>60</b>.

The CPU <b>101</b> (the lock processing function <b>302</b>) judges whether or not the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> are in the close state (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4B</figref>) through the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> (Step S<b>11</b>).

In the open state (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4A</figref>), a user can carry out an operation for closing the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b>. When the CPU <b>101</b> detects the close state based on the judgment in Step S<b>11</b>, the CPU can judge that a close state setting factor occurs. Then, the CPU <b>101</b> instructs the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> to carry out the lock operation (Step S<b>12</b>). As a result, the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> are locked while the close state is held (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4B</figref>).

Note that, in the above-mentioned example, there is adopted such a constitution that the CPU <b>101</b>, upon detection of the close state, instructs the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> to carry out the lock operation. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to this constitution as long as the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> can inform the CPU <b>101</b> of such a close state. For example, a mechanism for making mechanically transition to the lock state by utilizing the operation when the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> are closed through the manipulation by a user can also be adopted for the lock mechanism which the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> has. However, such a mechanical lock mechanism must be able to make the transition to the unlocked state when the CPU <b>101</b> issues thereto an operation instruction.

When in the mobile telephone <b>1</b> in the close state (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4B</figref>), the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> is in the lock state, a user can not carry out the input manipulation for the manipulation device <b>42</b>, and the visual observation for the display device <b>41</b>. Consequently, even when the mobile telephone <b>1</b> is stolen, and so forth, the unlawful use and the outflow of the user data can be prevented, and hence the security can be ensured.

In addition, in the close state, the CPU <b>101</b> (the lock processing function <b>302</b>) allows the radio circuit <b>10</b> to make the transition from the current operation mode to the wait mode. Then, in the wait mode, in order to reduce the power consumption, the CPU <b>101</b> controls the power supply control circuit <b>91</b> so that the supply of the electric power to each unit of the mobile telephone <b>1</b> is limited to only the necessary units.

Next, a description will be given to a case where a predetermined event occurs when the mobile telephone <b>1</b> is in the above-mentioned states (i.e., in the close state and the lock state). In this example, it is supposed that such an event corresponds to an incoming call operation for the voice communication (sound incoming call) and an incoming call for the data communication (packet communication) (e.g., an incoming call of an e-mail).

That is, when the mobile telephone <b>1</b> is in the close state and the lock state as described above, the CPU <b>101</b> (the incoming call detection function <b>301</b>) of the control circuit <b>30</b> waits for an incoming call from an external apparatus (Step S<b>13</b>). When the CPU <b>101</b> detects an incoming call in Step S<b>13</b>, the CPU <b>101</b> informs the lock processing function <b>302</b> that the incoming call has arrived at the mobile telephone <b>1</b>.

When the lock processing function <b>302</b> is informed that the incoming call has arrived at the mobile telephone <b>1</b> in the state where the mobile telephone <b>1</b> is in the close state and the lock state, the CPU <b>101</b> (the lock processing function <b>302</b>) starts the lock release processing based on the fingerprint authentication (Step S<b>14</b>). That is, in Step S<b>14</b>, the CPU <b>101</b> controls the power supply control circuit <b>91</b> (the switch <b>911</b>), thereby starting the supply of the electric power to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b>. As a result, the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> is activated. Moreover, in Step S<b>14</b>, the CPU <b>101</b> activates the timer <b>32</b> so that the timer starts to time a predetermined period of time as an allowable time required for the fingerprint authentication.

In addition, in Step S<b>14</b>, the CPU <b>101</b> (the lock processing function <b>302</b>) turns ON (or turns ON and OFF) the lamp <b>441</b> (the ringing of the buzzer <b>43</b>, or the vibration operation by a vibrator (not shown) may also be available), thereby requiring a user to accept the fingerprint authentication.

Upon turn-ON of the power supply unit <b>90</b>, the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> reads a fingerprint of a user with the fingerprint sensor <b>601</b>, and then compares the data of the fingerprint thus read with the legitimate user's fingerprint data which is registered in advance. When the comparison results show that both the data of the fingerprint thus read and the legitimate user's fingerprint data agree with each other, the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> informs the CPU <b>101</b> (the lock processing function <b>302</b>) that the fingerprint of the user is authenticated.

When the CPU <b>101</b> (the lock processing function <b>302</b>) is informed that the fingerprint of the user is authenticated as the fingerprint of a legitimate user (the authentication is OK) from the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> before the timer <b>32</b> terminates the timing of the predetermined period of time (time-out), the CPU <b>101</b> makes the operation to proceed to a processing in Step S<b>21</b>.

That is, first of all, the CPU <b>101</b> (the lock processing function <b>302</b>) controls the power supply control unit <b>91</b> to stop the supply of the electric power to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> and also to turn OFF the lamp <b>441</b> (including the stop of the buzzer <b>43</b> in ringing, and the stop of the vibrator (not shown) in vibration operation) (Step S<b>21</b>).

Subsequently, the CPU <b>101</b> (the lock processing function <b>302</b>) instructs the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> to unlock the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis. <b>4</b> (Step S<b>22</b>). As a result, in the mobile telephone <b>1</b>, the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> can be opened through the manipulation by the user (or automatically) (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4A</figref>).

Then, the CPU <b>101</b>, upon detection of the open state through the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b>, releases the wait mode until that time, and controls the power supply control circuit <b>91</b> to restart the supply of the electric power to each unit for which the supply of the electric power is stopped until that time (Step S<b>23</b>). As a result, the user can carry out the input manipulation for the manipulation device <b>42</b>, the response to the incoming call of a voice communication, the verification of an incoming call of an e-mail, and the like while verifying the display contents on the display device <b>41</b>.

On the other hand, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed without reception of the report representing that the fingerprint of a user is authenticated, the CPU <b>101</b> (the lock processing function <b>302</b>) controls the power supply control circuit <b>91</b> to stop the supply of the electric power to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> and to turn OFF the light <b>441</b> (including the stop of the buzzer <b>43</b> in ringing, and the stop of the vibrator (not shown) in the vibration operation) (Step S<b>17</b>). That is, in this case, the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> in the close state are held in the lock state. Then, the CPU <b>101</b> (the lock processing function <b>302</b>) returns the operation back to the processing in Step S<b>13</b> to wait for a new incoming call.

Here, a description will hereinafter be given to a constitution of the software program constituting the lock processing function <b>302</b>.

The lock processing function <b>302</b>, as described above, is realized by the control based on the software program executed by the CPU <b>101</b>. The lock processing function <b>302</b> is constituted by the following programs: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none"><li id="ul0003-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0004" list-style="none"><li id="ul0004-0001" num="0080">a chassis opening/closing detection function <b>3021</b>,</li><li id="ul0004-0002" num="0081">a lock function <b>3022</b>,</li><li id="ul0004-0003" num="0082">a lock release event detection function <b>3023</b>,</li><li id="ul0004-0004" num="0083">a lock judgment function <b>3024</b>,</li><li id="ul0004-0005" num="0084">an authentication start function <b>3025</b>,</li><li id="ul0004-0006" num="0085">an authentication wait function <b>3026</b>,</li><li id="ul0004-0007" num="0086">an authentication result judgment function <b>3027</b>, and</li><li id="ul0004-0008" num="0087">a lock release function <b>3028</b>. <br /> Then, an operation of the lock processing function <b>302</b> will now be described on the ground of those functions. </li></ul></li></ul>

In the close state of the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4B</figref>), upon the detection of the close state based on the report from the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b>, the chassis opening/closing detection function <b>3021</b> calls the lock function <b>3022</b>. Then, the lock function <b>3022</b> instructs the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> to lock the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b>.

Upon the detection of an incoming call based on the report from the incoming call detection function <b>301</b>, the lock release event detection function <b>3023</b> calls the lock judgment function <b>3024</b>. The lock judgment function <b>3024</b>, when judging that the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> are in the close state (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4B</figref>) and the lock state, calls the authentication start function <b>3025</b>.

The authentication start function <b>3025</b> issues an instruction to turn ON the power supply unit <b>90</b> for the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> and to start the fingerprint authentication. Moreover, the authentication start function <b>3025</b>, as may be necessary in correspondence to the apparatus configuration, transfers the fingerprint data of a legitimate user to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b>. Then, the authentication start function <b>3025</b> calls the authentication wait function <b>3026</b>.

The authentication wait function <b>3026</b> instructs the timer <b>32</b> to start the timing, of a predetermined period of time, and waits for completion of the fingerprint authentication in the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b>. Then, the authentication wait function <b>3026</b>, at a time point of completion of the fingerprint authentication in the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b>, calls the authentication result judgment function <b>3027</b>. When a user does not touch the fingerprint sensor <b>601</b> with his/her finger for the predetermined period of time, the fingerprint authentication processing is terminated (time-out) Thus, no call is made for the authentication result judgment function <b>3027</b>.

A case where the authentication wait function <b>3026</b> calls the authentication result judgment function <b>3027</b> means that the results of the authentication by the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> show that a user is allowed to use the mobile telephone <b>1</b> (OK). Then, the authentication result judgment function <b>3027</b> calls the lock release function <b>3028</b>. The lock release function <b>3028</b> instructs the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> to unlock the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b>. This operation results in that the user can open the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4A</figref>) which are in the close state until that time.

Note that, in this embodiment described above, an incoming call of a voice communication and an incoming call of an e-mail are detected in Step S<b>13</b> as the predetermined event for release of the lock state. However, the event to be detected is not intended to be limited to those operations. For example, an operation for reporting an alarm using a voice or the like on the date and time (schedule) set in advance may be detected as the predetermined event. That is, some mobile terminals such as a mobile telephone and a PDA are provided with a schedule management function for, in response to arrival of the desired date and time (schedule) set in advance by a user, informing a user of this effect using an alarm sound and displaying the details of the schedule set in advance on a screen. Then, the timing at which a user is informed of the arrival of the desired date and time set in advance in such a schedule management function may be detected as the predetermined event in Step S<b>13</b>.

In addition, the manipulation for the switch <b>421</b> provided on side surface of the bottom end of the lower side chassis <b>4</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> can be handled as an event for release of the lock state. In this case, the incoming call detection function <b>301</b> to be executed in the CPU <b>101</b> has to carry out not only the judgment of the presence or absence of an incoming call, but also the judgment of the presence or absence of the manipulation for the switch <b>421</b> in Step S<b>13</b>.

Of course, the switch <b>421</b> may not be provided. In this case, if the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> is locked once in the close state of the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b>, then the lock state is released only when there is an incoming call. Thus, the optimal configuration can be obtained in terms of a mobile telephone which is given to a user (e.g., a child) for whom an unnecessary originating call is not wanted to be allowed.

Effects of Embodiment

According to this embodiment described above, when the mobile telephone <b>1</b> is in the close state and the lock state, the supply of the electric power to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> is stopped, while upon detection of an incoming call, the supply of the electric power to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> is restarted. At this time, when a user is authenticated as a legitimate user within a predetermined period of time, the control circuit <b>30</b> instructs the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> to unlock the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b>. As a result, a user can open the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> of the mobile telephone <b>1</b> to carry out the manipulation for a response to an incoming call and the like.

Consequently, according to this embodiment, in the mobile telephone <b>1</b> including the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b> and the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b>, the supply of the electric power to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> is precisely carried out, whereby it is possible to make the reduction of the power consumption and the ensuring of the security compatible with each other without increasing a burden imposed on a user in terms of the manipulation operations.

In this embodiment as described above, the mobile telephone to which the present invention can be applied has been described by giving an example the folding mobile telephone <b>1</b>. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited in scope to this example. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an information processing apparatus such as a folding PDA or a notebook PC.

In addition, in this embodiment as described above, the principal (legitimate user) authentication unit has been described by giving as an example the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> for carrying out the authentication using a fingerprint of a user. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited in scope to this example. For example, there may be adopted various kinds of authentication units such as an authentication unit utilizing a pattern of the blood stream in a finger of a user, and an authentication unit utilizing a pattern of the iris or the retina.

In addition, in this embodiment as described above, the opening/closing operation of the upper side chassis <b>2</b> and the lower side chassis <b>4</b> is regulated by the mechanical mechanism provided in the opening/closing detection and lock mechanism <b>50</b>. However, electronic regulation means (keylock function) for disabling any of the manipulations for the apparatus in accordance with the manipulation of a specific switch (key) may also be adopted as the lock function to be installed in the apparatus instead of such a mechanical mechanism. In this case, the present invention can be widely applied to the electronic apparatuses (a mobile telephone or an information processing apparatuses such as a PDA and a notebook PC) each of which is not of the folding type. However, the present invention is aimed to reduce the power consumption of the electronic apparatus in which a miniature battery (rechargeable battery) having a limited power supply capacity is installed without impairing the usability for a user. Consequently, when the present invention is applied to a mobile electronic apparatus (i.e., a mobile terminal) in which a chassis is limited in size, the more preferable effects can be offered.

That is, according to this embodiment, in the mobile terminal including the lock function (i.e., the mechanical lock mechanism or the electronic keylock function) and the authentication unit, the supply of the electric power to the fingerprint authentication unit <b>60</b> is precisely carried out, whereby it is possible to reduce the power consumption as well as ensure the security without increasing a burden imposed on a user in terms of the manipulation operations.

Note that, after the computer program with which the functions (the incoming call detection function <b>301</b>, the lock processing function <b>302</b>, and the like) of the flow chart (refer to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) referred to in the description of the mobile telephone <b>1</b> can be realized is supplied to the mobile telephone <b>1</b>, the computer program is written to the CPU <b>101</b> of the mobile telephone to be executed, thereby implementing the present invention which has been described based on the above-mentioned embodiment.

In addition, in the above-mentioned case, as for the method of supplying the computer program to each of the apparatuses, at the present time, the general procedure can be adopted as typified by a method of installing a computer program in an apparatus in the manufacturing stage before the shipment, the maintenance stage after the shipment, or the like by utilizing a suitable jig, a method of downloading a computer program from the outside into an apparatus through a communication line such as the Internet, or the like. Then, in such a case, the present invention is constituted by a code or a storage medium of the computer program.

While this invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by way of this invention is not to be limited to those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for the subject matter of the invention to include all alternative, modification and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.